‍

I recently went back on a trip to visit my parents on the other side of Canada. It has been difficult to see family and friends over the COVID-19 pandemic but it was finally time to make it work. Today I wanted to get into the importance of family and to help you understand your priorities towards family.

‍

Spending time with loved ones is critical to living a fulfilling and meaningful life. So many people who I know (and I’m sure you know) work too much and try to only benefit themselves. It’s time to understand what your priorities REALLY are in life once and for all.

‍

If you are someone who says time with family is important yet you neglect to spend time with them is it really a priority? No, it’s not. There are often times where you may say one thing yet do another - this is a common situation.

I’m so grateful to be able to spend time with my parents and friends. It’s the memories you will hold with you forever and not materialistic crap. Are you someone who prioritizes spending time with your family or someone who just talks about it? Ask yourself this now. When’s the last time you visited or called them? Do you have a schedule or routine for this?

‍

Subscribe to our free newsletter now!

‍

Making Time

Now you may be saying, “Chris I want to spend time with my family, but I don’t have time!” If you’ve followed me for any amount of time and have read previous posts from me you will know that there is NO PERFECT TIME. There is never a time where you will magically have a week off, wouldn’t that be nice?

People are busy. We are all busy each and every day. Whether you’re busy sitting on the couch or busy working fourteen hour days - everyone seems to be busy doing something. If you don’t free up your own schedule you will never have extra spare time to visit family. It is solely YOUR responsibility and no one else’s. If you decided you are too busy and your career comes first that is your decision - your priority. So, stop blaming work or any other factors in your life and own it.

One way to free up some time is to plan ahead. At the start of the year sit down and figure out certain days or trips you want to plan. Stop flying by the seat of your pants, this doesn’t work and is terribly unproductive. Buy a planner, massive calendar or show your smartphone calendar some love. Plan what you want to do in advance - book the time off and pre-plan parts of the trip or stay.

You are busy but that doesn’t give you the excuses to fail to act on your family matters. I am grateful for my parents and all they have done for me. Without their help and support I would not be where I am today - or the person I am today. I’m sure you can say something similar about yours.

‍

Modern Slavery

A 9-5 job is similar to modern slavery, while this may sound a little far-fetched hear me out. You take orders from someone above you, have to work when they tell you, take breaks when they tell you, and follow direct orders 5 + days a week 365 days a year.

If you continue to work day in and day out for someone else and don’t have time to do anything you want or enjoy you are way too deep and getting taken advantage of. There should be some sort of balance in life to go have fun. Whether you choose to take this time to see the family is up to you. Balance is key.

Maybe you are so used to listening to other people you forgot to listen to yourself. I’m not saying to go out and do something rash like quit your job today. But, ensure you are getting treated right and are able to have some flexibility in your schedule.

‍

Just Do It

Nike nailed it long ago - Just Do It. Take the time off, book the trip, relax, take a deep breath, spend some money. If you want to do anything you need to just do it. To act it out right away and stop thinking about it so much.

Don’t wait for the perfect time. Do it now or else you may regret it for the rest of your life. Life is about spending time with the special people around us and making great memories - don’t forget this.

Be sure to check back in next week for a brand new blog post! I write new content which is released each and every Monday. Do yourself a favour and call your loved ones and book some time off to go see them now. Thanks for reading!

‍

Join others around the world who read The Work to Live Newsletter!

‍

‍

Chris M Wilson